Improvement in water-wheels



A. H. BRUBAKER.

Improvement in'Water Wheels.

No. 122,809v Patentedlan.16,1872.

0 f i I M a m z" i I I A MI, I i A H 1 E lnven tgr,

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

AARON H. BRUBAKER, OF BRUNERSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN WATER-WHEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,809, dated January16, 1872 To all whom it may concern:

I, AARON H. BRUBAKER, of Brunersville, in the county of Lancaster andState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements inWater-Wheels, of which the following is a specification The nature of myinvention consists in casting the crown or head-plate in one piece withits central stuffing-box, raised disk, and curved chutes,fastening-flange, and ring, to which latter the hangers and step of thewheel arebolted, and the whole suspended in the bottom of anordinarytrunk with the end closed to form a cistern or pen-stock. The gateconsists of a cap, the ring of which fits over the open mouths of thechutes around the circumference of the raised disk, forming a shoulder,as herein more fully described.

The drawing clearly shows the arrangement and construction of the parts.

Figure 1 shows the gate L, crown-plate W, flange H, by which it isfastened to the bottom 0 of the water-cistern, the hangers A, whichcross beneath centrally with a boss for a step, B, for the spindle O, towhich the wheel is keyed. Fig. 2 shows the upper ring G that confinesthe buckets or turbine-plates F, which are cast to a water-tight bottomand discharge from the circumference of the wheel. Fig. 3 shows theupper face of the crown-plate W, with its chutes S, stufiing-box R, andflange H. The foot-flange or ring I beneath the flange is shown in Fig.1.

The novelty consists in the arrangement of the parts. A briefexplanation will enable any one skilled in the art to make and use thesame.

The crown-plate or head W, already described, is fitted into the bottomof the trunk or pen-stock, and the upper face of the flange H may be letflush into the wood. The ring or rim I penetrates below the bottom. Tothis ring the four arms of hangers A are bolted, they crossing eachother centrally in a raised boss, B, for the step of the spindle G, towhich the wheel is keyed. D is a boss or supporting-plate to the bottomE of the wheel. This shows fifteen buckets curved with a radius ofone-fourth the diameter of the wheel, drawn at right angles from avertical line to intersect the tangent of the shaft on thecircumference,

shown by the dotted lines, Fig. 2. It is believed, and sustained byexperiments made at considerable cost, that, the water entering thechutes S from the circumference or outer edge of the crown-plate W,leading first toward the center, thence deflected down and almost atright angles to one side, the impact of the water thus delivered, withall its head and pressure, produces a greater impulsive force againstthe hollow faces of the turbine-plates or buckets F than when otherwiseadmitted to the buckets, opening and discharging from the circumference,the curve being calculated to allow the water to recede from the centerof motion, so as to escape outward with an increased force and velocity,unobstructed by any impediment or back water. The upperring G of thewheel is inside, in part, of the flange or rim L of the crown-plate Wand chutes S. The arrangement of the gate L consists of a ring, whichfits closely against the openings or water-way of the chutes S, and overthe shoulder or raised central disk down onto the flange H, shutting outthe water effectually. This ringlisclosed above, forming a water-tightcap or lid, and is provided with side brackets M, united by across-piece, N, which is fitted around the spindle (J, forming avertical guide for raising or lowering the gate by means of a rack andgear, or leverage, not shown, as any of the mechanical devices can beapplied to perform that office or function.

I am aware that there is an endless variety of water-wheels of thisclass patented, each claiming a specific construction and arrangement.In adding this to the numberl. am not aware that a crown-plate withchutes, bootshaped, on a disk and flange, for being attached, and todeliver the water against the curved plates, in the manner shown anddescribed, was ever before known or used. Nor do I know of a cap-gatethat will regulate or close all the chutes simultaneously, and guided byits connection with the spindle O and yoke or cross-piece N; therefore,

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The crown-piece orhead-plate W, with its curved chutes S, shouldered disk, and

flanges H and I, in combination with the united hangers A, forming thestep B for the spindle 0, to which the water-wheel is keyed, havingembrace and slide on the spindle O fora guide, abottom, E, buckets F,and ring G, all arranged as shown, for the purpose mentioned. inrelation to each other substantially in the A. H. BRUBAKER. mannershown, and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with the crown-plate W Witnesses: and chutes S, Iclaim the cap-gate L, With its W. B. WILEY, brackets M and yoke 01'cross-piece-N, made to J AGOB STAUFFER. (168)

